Ice possible for Manchester area Friday morning

With the potential for winter weather moving into the area early Friday morning, local officials are warning residents to exercise extreme caution if they have to drive.

Coffee County Emergency Management Agency director Allen Lendley told the Manchester Times Thursday that his office has been in contact with the National Weather Service and between .10 and .25 inches of ice is possible between 5-8 a.m. Friday.

“They expect it to get here sometime between five to eight in the morning,” said Lendley, who participated in weather briefing at 11 a.m. Thursday and will participate in another briefing at 4:30 a.m. Friday with the weather service.

“They don’t expect it to last long. But right now, they are saying we could see between a tenth to a quarter-inch of ice here.”

After the morning conference, Lendley said he wouldn’t be surprised if Coffee County is placed under a winter storm warning. Right now the area is set to go under a winter storm advisory at midnight tonight until 6 p.m. Friday.

“We will be in contact with the schools in the morning after our briefing and they will make a call at that point on [whether or not to have school],” added Lendley.

Lendley is urging residents to stay home if ice does in fact accumulate.

“I’m not saying run out and buy bread and milk because it’s not going to last but a day or two. But stay in if you can.”

If ice does fall, forecasted temperatures of 44 and 49 over the weekend could quickly melt it away.

David Young with Manchester Duck River Electric said they are keeping an eye on the situation but do not plan anything special right now.